Why do we have Limited Potential?

Have you been to the circus lately?
I know it's an odd question to ask in a self-development article - but please bare with me.
In the circus you'll find clowns, gymnasts and animals of all sorts and sizes, but there is one animal that you're almost guaranteed to find. It's the elephant.
If you think about it, you'll find that the elephant is a huge animal which, if it ever decides to run away, could cause some serious chaos and disruption in the whole neighbourhood. The question is: why doesn't the elephant try to escape?

Whenever a new elephant is brought to the circus, it is chained to a heavy iron ball. The elephant struggles in vain to escape. Everyday, the elephant repeatedly tries to escape - until it finally loses hope of ever being free.

You've been Brainwashed

All of us have been in that elephant's situation at some point of our life. It's not our fault. We're being brainwashed everyday by our friends, colleagues and the media. Society is always creating certain 'barriers' that are supposedly impenetrable to any normal human being. They are simply out of reach, except if you're a genius or very lucky.
Here is a list of some false beliefs that you may have acquired throughout your life:

• I can't learn a new sport now, I should have started when I was a kid.
• It's very hard to find a decent job these days, there is no way I could ever land a proper job.
• No one gets everything in life. You have to choose.
• When you get married you won't have time for any activities.
• I can't quit smoking. Even if I could, it will only be temporarily.
• I'm not lucky. If I had been lucky I would have had everything that I wanted.
• Luck DOES exist!

How False Beliefs change People's Lives

If you're still taking the issue lightheartedly, let me tell you a story that will change your perspective of things. It revolves around two friends: Joe and Bob, who were used to hanging out and playing basketball together regularly.

Joe in particular, was taught by his parents that no one gets everything in life.
Joe and Bob started applying for jobs, and - by coincidence - they both got an interview at the same company. After passing the interview, they were told that the job requires them to word 12 hours a day, with only one day off per week. This meant that whoever accepted the job would have to quit playing basketball, because he wouldn't have the time.
Joe thought: "Well, I can't get everything in life. I'll accept the job and give up basketball" and so he took the job.
Bob, on the other hand thought: "No, thanks. I'm sure there's a better job somewhere, one with better working hours. After all, I don't want to give up my favourite sport," and didn't take the job.

After a few months, Joe started to feel that something was missing from his life. He was used to the elevated blood flow that accompanies regular training. His brain was used to getting more oxygen, thinking and feeling better all day.
As a result, Joe started to feel depressed without knowing why. He even left his job, thinking that boredom might be causing his current state of restlessness.

When People Live in a Virtual World

Stories such as these happen every day because of people having similar false beliefs. Most people are unaware of their powers. Some people are held back only by these false beliefs, even though they have many abilities and opportunities for advancement. They convince themselves that they are fine as they are and that this is the way life was meant to be,they just tend to describe life from their own unique perspective.

A lot of other people are not taking enough action to improve their lives, thinking that the only way that could happen is through an incredible run of good luck.

Some people are not trying to learn anything new, thinking that it's so hard to get a decent job anyway, regardless of how well you're prepared. They indulge in bad habits like smoking and drugs and think they can never give it up. People quit sports and get fat, thinking that their marriage and career should consume their whole time. "Well, you can't get everything in life, can you?" they say.

Challenge Your Beliefs

It gets really funny when people start spreading false beliefs without even TESTING them. I was once seeking a certain computer certification, and whenever I asked someone I was told that it's very hard to pass the exam. I have to admit, I started falling into the trap of believing them. I then paused for a while and asked them what was so difficult about the exam. You'll be amazed by the reply: "We don't know. We never tried to take it." These people believed that the exam was so hard just because other people told them so!

So, what can you do about it? What's the correct action to take when dealing with other people's opinions?
First, you should test those opinions. If someone told you that you can't lift that box over there, don't just take his word for it, go and try for yourself. Just because he couldn't lift it, doesn't mean that you can't either. Similarly, if someone didn't have the qualities required to land a job, it doesn't mean that you don't either. People differ in their qualities, strengths and weaknesses. To sum it up:

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.
-- Henry Ford.